Features
Enhanced SMS
Allows for a conversational chat-like user experience with a single contact list for the most personal mobile-to-mobile communications
Note: BlackBerry® Device Software 5.0 and later is required for the SMS functionality.

Avatars
Users can choose a picture from the BlackBerry smartphone gallery and save it as their personal avatar, which will be seen by their contacts. They can also view other avatars in the contact list and zoom in on the avatars of contacts participating in a conversation by selecting “View participants.”

Large Media File Transfer
Users can send/receive large file transfers up to 6 megabytes for pictures, files and audio.
Note: BlackBerry Device Software 5.0 is required to receive large media files.

Enhanced Group Functionality
Allows for the ability to update, share & communicate with a subset community

Bar-code Identity
A user can add a contact to the BlackBerry Messenger contact list by displaying a 2-dimensional bar code that invitees can capture with their device cameras.

Reliable Contact Backup and Restore
Contacts are backed-up on a server and do not require the need for BlackBerry® Desktop Manager.

System requirements:
BlackBerry® Device Software 4.5 and later and a wireless service data plan.

What are barcodes in BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 and how to use them
Overview
When using adding contacts to the BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 contact list or to a group in BlackBerry Messenger 5.0, it is possible to add them using a bar code.

With the installation of BlackBerry Messenger 5.0, all users can display their unique barcode for other BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 users to scan and add to their contact list.

To add a contact by scanning a barcode:

To display a personal barcode:
On the Home screen or in the Instant Messaging folder, click the BlackBerry Messenger icon.
On the contact list screen, press the Menu key.
Click My Profile.
Click Display My Barcode.

To display a group barcode:
On the Home screen or in the Instant Messaging folder, click the BlackBerry Messenger icon.
Select the group you would like to display the barcode for.
Press the Menu key.
Select Group Details.
Click Display Group Barcode.

To scan a personal barcode:
On the Home screen or in the Instant Messaging folder, click the BlackBerry Messenger icon.
On the contact list screen, click Invite contact.
Click Scan a person’s barcode.
Hold your device so that all four corners of the barcode appear on your device screen.

To scan a group barcode:
On the Home screen or in the Instant Messaging folder, click the BlackBerry Messenger icon.
Click Scan a Group Barcode, found under BlackBerry Groups.
Hold your device so that all four corners of the barcode appear on your device screen.

NOTE: For BlackBerry smartphones that have non-auto focusing cameras (such as BlackBerry® Bold™ 9000 smartphone), you may need to move the device further or closer.

Navigating groups within BlackBerry Messenger 5.0

Overview
BlackBerry smartphone users can navigate the BlackBerry Groups within BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 by using the following features.

Group Activities:

Members
View group members
Opens the group contacts feature and display all group contact entries in alphabetical order

Chats
View group conversations
Opens the group conversations feature and displays all group conversations, and displays option to start a new group conversation

Pictures
View group pictures
Opens the group pictures feature and displays all group pictures and option to share a picture. Also able to select to take a picture and post directly to group. Pictures are displayed in chronological order.

Lists
View group lists
Opens the group lists feature and displays all group lists and option to start new group list.

Group Calendar
View group calendar
Opens the group calendar feature. Displays options to share a calendar entry, or view calendars.

Group Updates:

Similar to a group history, any updates done within the group, such as any picture posting, messages, new or deleted users, etc, will be identified under Group Updates.

Integrating BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 with SMS conversations

Overview
BlackBerry Messenger 5.0 is able to provide users with a standard interface for sending and receiving SMS messages.

When using BlackBerry Messenger 5.0, user receiving and sending SMS messages will be able to use the familiar BlackBerry Messenger interface with SMS text messaging. Similar to BlackBerry Messenger, SMS messages will appear as conversations, with users being able to scroll up to see past messages, and even have the ability to search those past messages.

When a user chooses to compose a SMS message, a conversation window will open up, allowing the user to enter the message in the reply area. With the reply area, users will be able to reply more quickly to SMS texting.

NOTE: SMS messages will continue to be found under the messages icon, or the SMS Icon (dependent on theme). SMS messages will only appear in BlackBerry Messenger if the user added to BlackBerry Messenger and the SMS conversation is started in BlackBerry Messenger.